Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for right heel pain and low back disorder were not well-grounded, as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 23, 1994 for a 40 percent evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The decision stated that there was no evidence of entitlement to an earlier effective date based on medical records from before May 23, 1994.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine with residual right lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his physical limitations, but independence in daily living activities.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The VA denied the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a laminectomy and diskectomy of the lumbar spine.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a plausible claim for any of these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain did not result in a serious employment handicap, and thus he is not entitled to an extension of his basic period of eligibility for receiving vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.

The Board found that the veteran's osteoporosis of the lumbar spine did not meet the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating prior to June 9, 1993. The veteran was denied an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbosacral strain did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, effective from January 4, 1993 through June 30, 1999.

The veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 40% due to severe but not pronounced impairment.,For the period of July 1, 1993 to December 12, 1996, the veteran's cervical spine disorder was evaluated as 20%, and since then it has been rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, entitlement to a compensable disability rating for chondromalacia patellae of both knees, and entitlement to a higher disability rating for his generalized anxiety disorder. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities remains in contention.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of tinnitus, and the lumbar strain and right trapezius strain are not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to his period of military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain, irritable bowel syndrome, and dysplastic nevus syndrome. The veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 10 percent, his irritable bowel syndrome at 30 percent, and his dysplastic nevus syndrome remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder blade injury, low back injury, and left knee injury are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his claimed conditions and exposure history. The effective date for the hearing loss disability remains unchanged.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the last denial does not constitute new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of a back disability.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back disorder and gunshot wound residuals, contributed substantially to causing the veteran's death from recurrent small cell lung cancer.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.